Websites, Message Boards, Lists, and Social Media

Webpage

Author, A. A. (year). Title of document [Format]. Retrieved from http://xxxxx

This is the model for any online resources you might use. Make sure you include the four pieces of information: author, date, title (with a description of the format in brackets), and the source (the URL).

Provide the specific date for content that is published frequently such as blog posts.

Include the name of the website if it is not clear from the URL. For example: Retrieved from Site Name website: http://xxxxx

Provide a retrieval date for content that might change.

Use a permalink for web resources when possible.

When citing an entire website or webpage, but not a specific document or text, it is sufficient to refer to the name of the website and provide the URL in the text of your paper. No reference list entry is required. For example:

President Obama often used Twitter (http://www.twitter.co/barackobama) and Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/barackobama) to keep citizens up to speed on his initiatives.

More Examples

Author, A. A. (year). Title of document [Format]. Retrieved from http://xxxxx

Nova Southeastern University. (2015). Libraries at Nova Southeastern University [Webpage]. Retrieved from http://www.nova.edu/community/libraries.html

Facebook – Status Update

Author, A. (year, month day). Text of status update (first 40 words) [Facebook status update]. Retrieved from http://xxxxx

More Examples

Author, A. (year, month day). Text of status update (first 40 words) [Facebook status update]. Retrieved from http://xxxxx

The Library of Congress. (2015, February 13). Coming to our Main Reading Room open house this Monday? Check out our display of presidential food books! http://go.usa.gov/3qw2h [Facebook status update]. Retrieved from https://www.facebook.com/libraryofcongress/photos/a.487300093058.258710.90245883058/10152663754298059

Facebook – Page

Author, A. [First name]. (n.d.). Timeline [Facebook page]. Retrieved Month day, year, from http://xxxxx

More Examples

Author, A. [First name]. (n.d.). Timeline [Facebook page]. Retrieved Month day, year, from http://xxxxx

Alvin Sherman Library at Nova Southeastern University. (n.d.). Timeline [Facebook page]. Retrieved June 19, 2014, from http://www.facebook.com/AlvinShermanLibrary

Twitter / Tweet

Author, A. [Screen Name]. (year, month day.) Text of the tweet [Tweet]. Retrieved from http://xxxxx

Notes

If an author is only identifiable by a screen name, that name is used as the author in the reference.

Check out the APA Style Blog for additional information.

More Examples

Author, A. [Screen Name]. (year, month day.) Text of the tweet [Tweet]. Retrieved from http://xxxxx

Obama, M. [MichelleObama]. (2012, June 18). Great teachers make the difference for our kids. Stand with Educators for Obama: http://ofa.bo/vKsR41 [Tweet]. Retrieved from https://twitter.com/michelleobama/status/214804451335217153

Blog Comment

Author, A. (year, month day). Re: Title of post [Blog comment]. Retrieved from http://xxxxx

Notes

Because the author is only identifiable by a screen name, that name is used as the author in the reference.

More Examples

Author, A. (year, month day). Re: Title of post [Blog comment]. Retrieved from http://xxxxx

AMO. (2014, June 14). RE: Seven lessons learned while being The Man [Blog comment]. Retrieved from http://librarianinblack.net/librarianinblack/lessons/#comment-82605

Blog Post

Author, A. (year, month day). Title of blog post [Blog post]. Retrieved from http://xxxxx

Notes

Do not start a title with a number; spell out the number instead.

More Examples

Author, A. (year, month day). Title of blog post [Blog post]. Retrieved from http://xxxxx

Houghton, S. (2013). Seven lessons learned while being The Man [Blog post]. Retrieved from http://librarianinblack.net/librarianinblack/lessons/

Message – Posted to an Electronic Mailing List

Author, A. (year, month day). Re: Title of message [Electronic mailing list message]. Retrieved from http://xxxxx

More Examples

Author, A. (year, month day). Re: Title of message [Electronic mailing list message]. Retrieved from http://xxxxx

McLeod, S. (2014, March 12). RE: CPS investigator caseloads [Electronic mailing list message]. Retrieved from http://www.ndacan.cornell.edu/cmrlpostings/maillist.html

Message – Posted to an Online Forum or Discussion Group

Author, A. (year, month day). Re: Title of discussion [Online forum comment]. Retrieved from Name of Website: http://xxxxx

Notes

When the location of the discussion is not clear from the URL, include the name of the site in the retrieval statement.

More Examples

Author, A. (year, month day). Re: Title of discussion [Online forum comment]. Retrieved from Name of Website: http://xxxxx

Seaman,G. (2013, June 6). Re: The commentary text in this section concentrates entirely on copyright [Online forum comment]. Retrieved from World International Property Organization website: http://www.wipo.int/roller/comments/ipisforum/Weblog/theme_two_the_intellectual_property #comments

Entry in Wikipedia

Entry title. (Date). In Wikipedia. Retrieved date, from http://xxxxx

More Examples

Entry title. (Date). In Wikipedia. Retrieved date, from http://xxxxx

Gertrude Bell (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved June 18, 2012, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gertrude_Bell